Regional elections were held across Colombia yesterday. However, at least 25% of the newly elected governors are alleged to have ties to right-wing paramilitaries. This reveals a deep-rooted problem in Colombian electoral politics in the midst of the on-going armed conflict

Regional elections were held across Colombia yesterday. Voters elected 1103 mayors and municipal council members, and 32 governors. However, at least eight of the newly elected governors[4]—from the electoral districts of Córdoba, Cesar, North Santander, Santander, Guajira, Sucre, Casanare and Middle Magdalena—are alleged to have ties to right-wing paramilitaries. In other words, about 25% of the newly elected governors may have links to the local power brokers: the paramilitaries.

Bogota Voters on Sunday (credit: AP)This is, of course, an initial assessment. The figures may be higher. But for now we know that a good part of the country is still under the influence of such groups—influence that reflects a deep-rooted problem in Colombian electoral politics in the midst of the on-going armed conflict